Steve Cummings has revealed that he has determined to ‘step away’ from Ineos Grenadiers after months of hypothesis about his position within the workforce.
Cyclingnews understands that head coach Xabier Artetxe will even depart the workforce on the finish of the season, as the main shake-up of key workers continues.
Ineos Grenadiers most popular to not remark when contacted by Cyclingnews as they deliberate for 2025 at a get-together in Manchester.
Cummings was Director of Racing at Ineos Grenadiers however seems to have been changed by Kurt Asle Arvesen, who was just lately introduced as lead Sport Director. Cummings was lead directeur sportif for the Tour de France for a number of years however was dropped from the position just some days earlier than this yr’s race.
Cummings’ relationship with Tom Pidcock had reportedly change into tough. The workforce insisted Cummings was taking part in a distant position in the course of the Tour, however he has not labored as a directeur sportif at another main races since then.
Pidcock appeared set to depart Ineos Grenadiers after he was ”deselected’ for Il Lombardia by senior administration however a switch deal was by no means agreed and Pidcock is now again within the fold on the workforce and is in Manchester for his or her winter get-together.
Cummings has by no means spoken about any points or difficulties at Ineos Grenadiers and posted a message on his LinkedIn web page to make clear his state of affairs and log off from the workforce in model.
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“I’m conscious there was some hypothesis so I simply wished to make clear my state of affairs. I’ve reached the choice to step away from INEOS,” Cummings wrote.
“This will likely appear to be an enormous transfer, however I’m now prepared to start a brand new section of my profession. It’s been a privilege to work with such a proficient group of riders and workers for the final 4 years. I’d actually prefer to take this chance to thank them for his or her assist and dedication.”
Rivals groups are more likely to attempt to signal Cummings for 2025 however he didn’t reveal his future vacation spot.
“I’ve all the time loved and thrived working in a excessive efficiency surroundings and I’ll proceed to have vital involvement within the sport. My focus is now on a brand new problem inside skilled biking,” Cummings mentioned.
Luke Rowe, Ethan Hayter and Jhonatan Narváez have all left Ineos Grenadiers because the British workforce tries to struggle a gradual decline in outcomes and relevance as a big-budget tremendous workforce. Axel Laurance, Lucas Hamilton, Bob Jungels, Samuel Watson, Victor Langellotti and Peter Øxenberg have been signed for 2025.
Efficiency Director Scott Drawer has led the adjustments at Ineos. He has created streams to deal with stage racing, Classics and future expertise. Different new workers members embody directeur sportif Leonardo Basso, new Lead Efficiency Coach Tom Helleman and new Head of Efficiency Help and Innovation Mehdi Kordi, who labored on the monitor with British and Dutch dash squads. Dr Billy Fitton joins as the top of engineering and expertise from British Biking, changing Dan Bigham.
“We’re going to spend the remainder of this yr making additional optimistic adjustments: setting the workforce’s efficiency plans and targets, executing some key coaching camps and getting the entire workforce able to race laborious in January,” Drawer mentioned when the workers adjustments had been confirmed.
“We wish to set the fitting tone from the beginning and will likely be working intently with our riders to determine the tradition which is able to facilitate success and be basic to our future.”